WORK SESSION AGENDA Casper City Council City Hall, Council Meeting Room Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 4:30 p.m.

Work Session Meeting Agenda Recommendation Allotted Time

Beginning Time

Recommendations = Information Only, Move Forward for Approval, Direction Requested

1. Council Meeting Follow-Up 5 min 4:30

2. Fireworks Safety Direction Requested 20 min 4:35

3. Trail Project Options 1%#16 Direction Requested 20 min 4:55

4. Downtown Flags Direction Requested

10 min 5:15

5. Additional Sheet of Ice at the Rec Center Direction Requested 20 min 5:25

6. Budget Amendment #3 Review Move Forward for Approval 20 min 5:45

7. WAM Training Videos (Code of Ethics) 20 min 6:05

8. Agenda Setting 20 min 6:25

9. Legislative Review 10 min 6:45

10. Council Around the Table 10 min 6:55

Approximate End Time: 7:05

Platte River Trails Trust

Memo To: Casper City Council

From: Angela Emery

cc: Carter Napier

Date: June 5, 2019

Re: One Cent #16 Allocation to the Platte River Trails Trust

The Platte River Trails Trust (PRTT) requested one million dollars of Optional One Cent #16 funds for community trail infrastructure projects, ($800,000) for projects and ($200,000) for overhead. This request is consistent with past requests from our organization. Due to the nature of the work the PRTT performs for the City, including visioning, advocacy, grant writing, project development, and trail oversight and maintenance, City staff informed our organization that our #16 One Cent request had been placed in a category separate from other community groups. In addition, City staff also suggested that the PRTT be awarded $500,000 in One Cent #16 to take on a leadership role in all community wide major maintenance trail projects. Below is an overview of the PRTT’s strategy for the use of the One Cent #16 funds committed to our organization.

Optional One Cent #16 Projects - $800,000:

For the past forty years, the PRTT has been responsible for helping build our community. Our organization was first awarded One Cent funds in 1979. Our ongoing strategy is to use One Cent funds as a match for other grants including the WYDOT TAP grant as well as other public and private funding sources. Although the PRTT aggressively seeks other grant opportunities, we are never sure we will be successful in our requests and how much additional funding we will receive. In addition, there are times when projects are delayed, or unanticipated opportunities arise. Therefore, the PRTT had developed a laundry list of projects the we feel are worthy of Optional One Cent #16 funds and is seeking approval from Council to pursue them over the next four years.

PV Park to Robertson Road

This project involves the installation of street bike lanes along Riverbend Road and Indian Paintbrush Drive that will take trail users to a City lot on the east side of the river where we will install a bridge crossing that will connect to the new trail on Robertson Road. This new connection allows the many residents of the neighborhoods off Robertson Road as well as the students and families at Oregon Trail school a safe a separate trail from west Casper (close to 5000 residents in Paradise Valley and Riverwest), and downtown Casper. This trail will provide a much-needed non-motorized option to travel along heavily trafficked CY Avenue (Hwy. 220).

Walmart to Ft. Caspar Academy

The PRTT, with our partner the City of Casper, received a WYDOT TAP grant to construct a trail connection from Morad Park to the Walmart shopping area and hope to construct that new trail in the fall of 2019. We’ve received considerable public input requesting a trail into the Wolf Creek neighborhood and Ft. Caspar Academy. This project is consistent with the PRTT and the City’s desire to create a safer walking and biking environment in our community. Development is onging in the Wolf Creek neighborhood and the PRTT would like to be ready to move forward with this important connection should the opportunity arise in the next four years.

Phase I Robertson Road to the Whispering Springs Neighborhood

This project will involve construction of a trail that will parallel the Alcova Irrigation canal and make a connection to the Whispering Springs neighborhood and set the stage for an eventual connection to the Rim Rock recreation area that is slated to be a key BLM property in our region.

Project Funding Strategy

The goal of the PRTT is to use One Cent funds to leverage federal, state and private funding sources to assist with the development of Casper’s non-motorized transportation infrastructure. We always have a funding strategy in place but cannot guarantee that grants will be awarded and at what level. In addition, sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances that result in surplus funds project delays that require a change of course. Below is our current funding strategy that identifies our pool of potential projects and funding estimates.

PRTT #16 Project Award - $800,000

Project Cost Funding Status

PV to Robertson Road

$778,562

WYDOT TAP - $350,00 Other Funders - $100,000 PRTT #16 - $328,562

Design summer of 2019

Walmart to Ft. Caspar Academy

WYDOT TAP Other Funders PRTT #16

Phase I Robertson Rd. to Whispering Springs

WYDOT TAP Other Funders PRTT #16

Upgrade Yessness Ponds trails installed by City of Casper PRTT #16

Overhead Support - $50,000 per year ($200,000)

The PRTT and the City of Casper have forged a successful and efficient partnership over the past forty years. With overhead support from the City (roughly $50,000 per year since 1999) the PRTT has created a non-profit organization that harnesses the power of community volunteers to do work that has real monetary value. The overhead support the PRTT receives from the City represents less than a third of our operating budget. The remainder of our income stems from events, corporate sponsorships, individual donations and grants. The PRTT has one full time employee, one half-time maintenance employee plus a contractor that provides specific marketing services. The specific tasks the PRTT provides to the community, and the City of Casper, includes

• With assistance from City staff, writes WYDOT TAP grants for trails projects that use Optional One Cent funds allocated to our organization as the cash match.

• Write other grants to Foundations and entities to further leverage the One Cent funds allocated to our organization for trail projects.

• Work with City and County staff, and local engineers, on design and implementation of trail projects.

• Manage the Platte River Trail including supervision of our own maintenance employee who works in concert with City Parks to maintain the River Trail.

• Maintain a website that provides information to the public about community trails, events and future projects.

• Produce a community trail map that is made available at key locations around the community.

• Serve as the fiscal agent for the Respect Our River committee that has installed life jacket loaner stations at key points along the river trail and works to raise awareness of the importance of river safety.

• Serve as the face of Trails and provide customer service to the public regarding trail maintenance and expansion.

• Organize events and programs that support non-motorized travel as well as health and wellness and quality of life. Ex. Spring Trail Clean-up, Arbor Day Celebrations, Food Truck Friday, Trail Safety campaigns, Walk with A Doc, and other educational efforts.

• Provide input to the City on non-motorized transportation needs in the community.

• Serve on City committees as needed.

Repair, Replace, and Connect One Cent #16 Allocation - $500,000:

The PRTT has been discussing major maintenance of the River Trail with City staff for several years. Some sections of the trail are 30 plus years old and in need of replacement. There are also areas of our community where trails are incomplete, or the connection is less than desirable. In 2018 City staff approached the PRTT about taking on a leadership role in all trail related repair, replacement and connection projects using a $500,000 One Cent #16 allocation. The PRTT Board was intrigued by the offer and voted to take on this additional responsibility. We began working with City staff in December of 2018 to analyze the condition of trails community wide.

The PRTT was so excited about the opportunity to work with City staff to identify needful Repair, Replace and Connect projects that the Board asked Council to authorize redirecting surplus PRTT One Cent #15 funds towards 2 River Trail replacement projects as well as a trail connection project. One of those projects has been bid out and will be constructed this summer. Below is a list of projects we’ve identified to date and their source of funding. We anticipate continuing our excellent working relationship with City staff to identify other necessary replace, repair and connection trail projects over the next four years.

Potential Repair, Replace & Connect Projects and Funding Sources

Project Status Funding Source

Trail Replacement - Bryan Stock Trail to Ped Bridge

Bid Awarded w/Construction in summer of 2019 PRTT #15 Allocation

Trail Replacement - F. St. to Schauss Property

On hold due to easement issue PRTT #15 Allocation

Trail Replacement - Parkway Plaza to 1st St.

On hold for River Restoration

Connect Durbin St. Bike Lanes to Casper Mtn. Rd. trail through Armory Park Design this summer PRTT #15 Allocation

Repair trail in Riverview Park and connect to Wells Park

$21,580 - PRTT #15 $78,420 - #16

Connection Trails in Yessness Pond Area PRTT #15 Allocation

Replace River Rail from 1st St. to Parkway Plaza

Must coordinate with River Restoration - High Priority

#16 Major Maintenance Funds

Casper Ice Arena Second Sheet Expansion Project

-Objective

▪ Second sheet of ice impact

1. Why we are here now and why now is the time to add the second sheet of ice

2. Current user group detail, growth

3. Expanded use opportunities beyond ice time for the new addition

4. Baseline financial and economic impact from adding the second sheet

5. Details of draft building plans we have put together

6. Big picture growth opportunities in the future

Why Now?

▪ The current user groups (CAHC, Figure Skating, Adult Competitive League, CSS, Junior Hockey, MSHL, Adult Rec, Public Skating, and Stick & Puck) are all restricted by limited ice time– User group enrollment is restricted– Kids getting off the ice as late as 10:35– Men’s league plays as late as 11pm– Lack of Tournaments; cannot be scheduled due to ice time restriction– Three user groups are currently suspended during prime season operations

▪ New user groups can’t be added– Curling– Youth Rec League

CAHC – Tournament Reduction

1 2 4 3 1 1 14

8

1713

5 6 610

29.5

71.25

32.75

10.5 10.5 10.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Annual Tournament Data

Number of Tournaments Teams Hosted Hours of Ice Time

Why Now? Continued

▪ Some assets already owned by City of Casper– The planned replacement from the Events Center can run two sheets of ice– Boards and glass from events center can be moved to new rink– Ice layover boards are already owned by City of Casper– Current Ice Maintenance Equipment i.e. Zambonis

▪ Demand is going to continue to expand– Growing population– Expanded state interest in ice sports

▪ Cheyenne, Gillette, Jackson, Cody, and now Sheridan all have Junior level hockey

▪ Opportunity to piggy back off the work that needs to be done to the current sheet of ice– There are likely financial benefits from doing both projects at the same time

Growth TrendUsers: 2016: 786 2017: 846 – 8% Growth 2018: 957 – 13% Growth

213195 192 199 208

34 39 4065 61

0 0

96 83 87

0 0 033

95

0 0

409

345

407

0 0

49

12199

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Casper Amateur Hockey Club Casper Figure Skating Club Adult Competitive League

Adult Recreation League Casper Skating School Middle School Hockey League/ Camps

Benefits to Current User Groups

▪ CAHC: expanded users, can go from 18 hours of usage to 30 hours of usage per week, and also add multiple tournament weekends, kids would be able to leave the rink at a reasonable time of night

▪ Figure skating: expanded users, added hours of ice time, ability to host at least one more competition

▪ Men’s League: expand users, add ice time, and ability to host at least one tournament.

▪ Other user groups are very similar.

Activities During Offseason

▪ Indoor Soccer

▪ Lacrosse

▪ Batting Cages

▪ Rental Space (Dryland, Crossfit, Sport specific training, Etc.)

▪ Trade Show – Private

▪ Corporate Office Events

Economic Impact

▪ Economic gain from hosted tournaments and events– Direct spending Community Impact - $85,250 - $91,550 per standard event– We feel it is very reasonable to expect 7 standard annual events to be added

within the first two years, which would provide additional direct spending of approximately $620,000 per year.

– As our reputation builds, larger events will be added. These can generate significantly more direct spending as shown on the following slide.

▪ Ice Revenue and how it offsets the additional cost– The new ice plant will run both facilities– No additional staff necessary to operate the expansion– The additional rink revenue will more than offset the additional costs. The result

will be a net financial gain, which lower subsidy that is currently paid by the City▪ Expected revenue increase of over 50%▪ Expected maintenance cost increase of approximately 35%

- Community Economic Impact -

Annual Impact From 7 Standard Events - $620,000

Annual Impact From 7 Standard & 2 Large Events - $948,000

Operational Revenue

April May June July August Spetember October November December January February March

Subsidy $18,735 $18,735 $18,735 $23,231 $23,231 $23,231 $23,231 $37,849 $22,012 $22,012 $22,013 $22,013Casper Amateur Hockey Club $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $8,375 $10,800 $12,900 $9,300 $16,125 $13,400 $3,700Concessions $2,661 $1,369 $692 $858 $2,106 $5,835 $6,816 $9,550 $6,827 $11,340 $9,074 $4,780Casper Skating School $2,774 $4,174 $4,687 $3,987 $3,210 $4,061 $11,316 $404 $1,713 $4,085 $4,330 $5,016Admission/ Rental $2,632 $1,647 $3,658 $2,173 $3,952 $1,766 $2,766 $5,252 $11,824 $6,096 $4,881 $5,682Junior Hockey $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $4,984 $4,600 $4,569 $3,218 $3,215 $3,865 $1,325Middle School Hockey Club $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,812 $1,687 $2,750 $0 $0Casper Figure Skating Club $810 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,031 $1,031 $1,150 $843 $843 $1,250 $3,521State Hockey Clubs $3,000 $3,500 $3,500 $5,000 $1,350 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$0$5,000

$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000$35,000$40,000

April 2017-March 2018

Proposed Second Sheet - Rendering

Appendices attached

Second Ice - Proposed Layout – Floor 1

Appendices attached

Second Ice - Proposed Layout – Floor 2

Appendices attached

Second Ice Highlights

▪ Improved locker room accommodations

▪ Multiple skyboxes for parties and private events

▪ Improved offices for current and future user groups

▪ Ice can be removed in offseason to allow for alternative activities

▪ Will be added onto the West of the current Ice Arena

▪ 55,000 square feet

▪ Walking track

▪ Medical room

▪ Removable bleachers for room for off ice training

▪ Space for dryland training and video review

▪ Added parking to the North

Big Picture Ideas

- Be the premier facility not only in our state but in our region

- Host Avalanche Affiliate Games

- Work with the state hockey league on hosting all divisional state tournaments, potential to host 50+ out of town teams

- Host regional and national figure skating competitions

- AA hockey team in the summer months

- Host large hockey camps

Next Steps

Qualification of Expansion

▪ economic feasibility study

▪ Market analysis

▪ RFP

▪ One Cent Funding

▪ Community Fundraising

▪ Private Investment

▪ City Budget Planning

Conclusion/Summary

▪ Building the future for our kids and giving the community an opportunity for growth.

▪ Helping our youth by creating a positive environment while be attentive to their lives outside of the rink